We decided to go to Serampore College on December 29th. The day was 29th December 2019. I and Sudeshna went to Srabonidi’s place. This time our destination was Serampore. I have never visited the old city, rich in history, on the outskirts of Kolkata. We aimed to explore Serampore’s history. Here I quote Gurudev “দেখাহয়নাইচক্ষুমেলিয়াঘরহতেশুধুদুইপাফেলিয়াএকটিধানেরশিষেরওপরএকটিশিশিরবিন্দু”. I’m trying to translate; please excuse my audacity “Not seen eyelashes just two feet from the house, a dew point of rice paddy” .We left the luggage and went sightseeing. This time the host, Sraboni Di, was our tourist guide. The destination is the centuries-old “Serampore College”. In 1818 AD.
Background History of Serampore College
William Carey, Joshua Marshman and Willam Word (who known as Serampore Trio) three missionaries founded this educational institution for the purpose of educating the common for all religion, races, and nationalities. At first, the college started with arts & science faculty. Since then Serampore was a Danish colony, in 1827AD, Danish emperor Frederick VI, recognized the right to provide the degree of Arts & Theology through the “Royal Charter”. William Carey, John Marshman& John Clark Marshman was elected the first council member. The college was built with its exquisite architectural style in a pleasant environment on the banks of river Ganges. The main arcade is a magnum opus, I came to know that it was brought from Denmark when the college was built. Still have the same.
The Fact or Quality of Being Unique
We went ahead to see the old house of the college with wide galaxies. I feel, just before dusk history makes the human mind more curious.
The end story
I remember about the book “কেরিসাহেবেরমুন্সী” authored by PramathaNathBishi (loosely-Assistant of Carey Saheb) which I have read when I was in my prime teens. I want to open the book again on this winter afternoon. The library of this institution named after “Carey”, was closed on vacation. I being a librarian felt sad not to get into the library. I will request Sraboni di to take me to the library again. These kinds of old arched houses have a spooky environment with an immense thrill! Turning the one side seems to be the opposite someone is whispering (saabjhuthai…all lies..).When half of the truth and the half of the imagination mixes it creates the magic. The walls of these houses smell of history, mind get awestruck. We have a strange state of mind; I came out of this place with a lot of questions with the realization of metaphorical nostalgia……
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